The inappropriate use of time‐to‐independence biases estimates of activity patterns of free‐ranging mammals derived from camera traps

Peral, Christopher; Landman, Marietjie; Kerley, Graham I.H.

doi:10.1002/ece3.9408

Cited by 17 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In addition, a recent study emphasized the importance of selecting data sources for activity analyses. Their findings indicate that utilizing time-to-independence data filters in estimates of activity patterns based on camera traps is inappropriate (Peral et al 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring small mammal monitoring in South Korea: The debut of the Mostela

Park,

Lim

2023

J Ecol Environ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Traditional wildlife monitoring has often relied on invasive techniques posing risks to species and demanding substantial resources. To address this, camera traps emerged as non-invasive alternatives, albeit primarily tailored for larger mammals, posing limitations for small mammal research. Thus, the Mostela, an innovative tool designed to overcome these challenges, was introduced to monitor small mammals in South Korea. Results: The Mostela was deployed at two study sites in South Korea, yielding compelling evidence of its efficiency in capturing small mammal species. By analyzing the collected data, we calculated the relative abundance of each species and elucidated their activity patterns. Conclusions: In summary, the Mostela system demonstrates substantial potential for advancing small mammal monitoring, offering valuable insights into diversity, community dynamics, activity patterns, and habitat preferences. Its application extends to the detection of endangered and rare species, further contributing to wildlife conservation efforts in South Korea. Consequently, the Mostela system stands as a valuable addition to the toolkit of conservationists and researchers, fostering ethical and non-invasive research practices while advancing our understanding of small mammal populations and ecosystems.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring small mammal monitoring in South Korea: The debut of the Mostela

Park,

Lim

2023

J Ecol Environ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It is important to mention, however, that results from different studies should be compared with caution, as different time-of-independence filters can lead to differences in the estimated activity [ 109 ]. Additionally, the identification of different individuals on consecutive images within the 30-minute interval used to determine an independent record might bias the comparison between the two study areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and Temporal Adaptations of Lowland Tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) to Environmental and Anthropogenic Impacts

Burs

Möcklinghoff

Marques

et al. 2022

Life

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Pantanal is one of the most conserved wetland ecosystems in Brazil and a hotspot for biodiversity. Over the last decades intensification of human activities has become a major threat to the stability of the unique landscape. To establish effective conservation actions, it is essential to understand how species respond to anthropogenic and environmental regional factors. Here, data from two multiannual camera trap studies, one in the northern Pantanal and one in the southern Pantanal, were used to investigate the effects of habitat characteristics, seasons, and human interactions on the spatial and temporal patterns of lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris). Between 2010 and 2017, camera traps were repeatedly placed in consistent grids covering protected areas and areas with cattle-ranching and tourism. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models and circular statistics. Activity patterns were similar and predominantly nocturnal in both areas, but tapirs indicated avoidance toward settlements and cattle and indicated habitat preferences only in the northern study area with less anthropogenic activities. The present study suggests that both environmental and anthropogenic factors can affect the species’ spatial and temporal behavior, but tapirs show varying responses across regions and gradients of disturbance. The results indicate that adapting avoidance strategies might be more likely and effective in areas with low human pressure and sufficient protected areas as alternatives.

show abstract

“…For each event, we recorded the species and number of observed individuals. We did not implement any time‐to‐independence filters, as we consider images of the same individual valid records of animal activity rather than pseudoreplicates (Peral et al., 2022). To standardize sampling between sites, we only used observations that were recorded between carcass deposition and the point in time where a carcass no longer attracted scavengers (i.e.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

From death comes life: Large vertebrate carrion enhances seedling establishment in clonal ericaceous shrubs

Arnberg,

Eycott,

Steyaert

2024

Functional Ecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Carrion can have disproportionally large effects on ecological processes and community dynamics. During decomposition, the influx of growth‐limiting nutrients can create small‐scale disturbances with high soil cover known as ‘cadaver decomposition islands’ (CDIs). Such disturbances can allow for altered plant species composition, increased biomass production or provide microsites for regeneration. Carcasses also provide a resource for omnivorous scavengers, which have the potential to direct endozoochorous seed dispersal towards developing CDIs. In this study, we investigated functional links between the scavenger community, carcass‐induced disturbances in vegetation and the seedling establishment of berry‐producing ericaceous species. We experimentally placed out 30 vertebrate carcasses of various species in a boreal forest ecosystem, each paired with a control and a mechanically disturbed plot to track vertebrate animal activity (i.e. dispersal vectors), vegetation changes (i.e. recruitment windows) and seedling establishment. We hypothesized that carcass size and season of experimental deposition would affect (H1) scavenger community composition and (H2) formation of CDIs, and that (H3) seedling establishment of ericaceous species is more abundant at CDIs compared with control or disturbed plots without carcass deposition. We found that carcass presence effectively created a spatiotemporal hotspot of animal activity and that 94% of observations of vertebrates at carcasses were of species with the potential for ericaceous seed dispersal. Larger carcasses (e.g. moose, reindeer) attracted similar and abundant vertebrate communities, whereas observations at small carcasses (e.g. red fox) resembled those at control plots (H1). Only larger carcasses led to CDI formation (i.e. potential recruitment microsites), while plots with small carcasses resembled control plots (H2). Surprisingly, the season of carcass deposition did not influence vertebrate composition at carcass plots or CDI formation (H1–2). Seedlings were significantly more abundant in CDIs compared with mechanical disturbance and control plots (H3). Overall, CDIs contained about 4 and 19 times more seedlings compared with disturbed and controls, respectively. Our study demonstrates how individual carcasses in a boreal forest landscape can facilitate sexual reproduction in ericaceous keystone species. We suggest that this pathway also occurs in other ecosystems and that it may contribute to the genetic diversity of plant populations. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

show abstract

The inappropriate use of time‐to‐independence biases estimates of activity patterns of free‐ranging mammals derived from camera traps

Cited by 17 publications

References 32 publications

Exploring small mammal monitoring in South Korea: The debut of the Mostela

Exploring small mammal monitoring in South Korea: The debut of the Mostela

Spatial and Temporal Adaptations of Lowland Tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) to Environmental and Anthropogenic Impacts

From death comes life: Large vertebrate carrion enhances seedling establishment in clonal ericaceous shrubs

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About